On January 22, 2008 Missouri Democratic Representative Rachel Storch and nineteen other representatives introduced Missouri House Joint Resolution 58 (MO H.J.R. 58). Rachel Storch is the sponsor of MO H.J.R. 58. As of June 6, 2008 it has not moved to a committee. This proposed amendment would create the position of State Demographer who would create redistricting maps for Missouri’s congressional and legislative districts.

Under the proposed legislation, are single-member districts a requirement or otherwise implied?

Single-member districts are neither implied nor required.

Does the proposed legislation provide for Voting Rights Act compliance (e.g. can the commission use voter history information)?

Yes. The proposed amendment forbids “Demographic information, other than population head counts, except as required by the constitution and the laws of the United States.” The State Demographer would also be forbidden to use the addresses of incumbent members of congress and the legislature, political affiliations of registered voters, and previous election results to create new district maps.

Under the proposed legislation, how is the commission formed?

The Legislature would create the position of State Demographer, who would then have responsibility for creating the district maps of the Missouri legislative and congressional seats.

Under the proposed legislation, are competitive districts favored?

No. There is no priority for creating competitive districts.

Under the proposed legislation, can members of the public submit plans?

No. The state demographer is under no obligation to consult the public or use publicly submitted maps.

The U.S. House of Representatives has been at 435 members since 1911, when the country was a third of its current population. Research suggests that districts may now be getting too big for adequate representation.